Jesus tells his disciples that it’s time to go. He tells them he wants to go across the lake. There are some hangers on in other boats. As human beings we tend to hover around places that benefit us. They are going to stick by a savior. Perhaps they were wondering who this person was and were compelled to follow with the understanding that they could figure it out.
The disciples have been privy to Jesus’ stories and their meanings. Perhaps they felt pretty sure of themselves in their understanding of who this man is.
And then there is a raging storm.
As the storm raged it seems obvious that the boat has the potential of swamping and drowning them. They also seem frustrated that this man who cared about everyone else, doesn’t care about him. So they throw out the “Don’t you care” phrase. It appears that Jesus isn’t concerned, and we find out why.
It appears that his trust in his authority and his mission is so absolute that this storm doesn’t shake him.
When he wakes up he stills the storm. The winds stop and it gets calm. While this should have made the disciples excited, they become more terrified. Who is this person? How much power does he have?
The storm scared them. They believed that their lives were in peril. But they could interpret a storm. They had no language for what they had just witnessed. Their terror was even greater as they wondered who this person who had been asleep in the back of the boar really was! It is as if a small corner of revelation was pulled back and the disciples had no way of making sense of it. The view made them stagger.
We know a lot about the nature of human power. But I think if we were ever to gain more than a fleeting glimpse of God’s power, we would be utterly destroyed.
And yet in the fullness of time, God sent forth his son. His mission was to show us the Father. While the disciples are paralyzed with fear in the aftermath of this experience, God is saying to them “don’t be afraid”. Yes, I could destroy you with even an infinitesimal knowledge of my power, but look at Jesus! Listen to Jesus. He was sent by me to tell you, in ways you that you could grasp, how much I love you, and how much I want a relationship with you. Don’t be afraid. Keep looking at Jesus.
Prayer: It is so easy for me to walk through life and believe that I have a great understanding of the world and myself. I don’t. Help me to fearlessly follow Jesus, the deciphering image of the Father.
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